NBA still wants a shot at Cal Expo

[Mike0476]

This article was just published. Below are some interesting tidbits.

http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/1863525.html

A league representative said the [FONT=&quot]NBA[/FONT] feels it must make significant progress this year on an arena deal to keep the basketball team in town.


"The bleeding has to stop sooner than later," the [FONT=&quot]NBA[/FONT]'s [FONT=&quot]John Moag[/FONT] said.
"The (Kings owners) have said they need to see by March 2010 that there is light at the end of the tunnel."


Several other potential arena sites in [FONT=&quot]Sacramento[/FONT] continue to be mentioned as possibilities, including the current arena site in [FONT=&quot]Natomas,[/FONT] the downtown railyard, the Downtown Plaza site and on [FONT=&quot]California State University,[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]Sacramento,[/FONT] property.


But Moag said his focus remains at Cal Expo.

 

[Bricklayer]

That's actually VERY interesting, given Moag's relation of the Maloof's timetable. By March of next season...if I'm not mistaken March 1 is the deadline for submitting moving papers. This could finally be the endgame now. Either the thing gets moving next season...or its possible the Kings might.

 

[nebs]

Well either way I think we need to know what our fate is. I hope that's a solid deadline. The possibility of the Kings moving has been lingering long enough.

 

[Trueblood]

That's what I assumed when the league made the Cal Expo presentation. If they don't have anything concrete in a year, and March 2010 is roughly a year from the presentation, then the Maloofs are going to start making waves.

The problem is that even if a developer is found in the next couple months, the actual arena won't be ready to go until 2012 or 2013. They'll wait it out in that scenario but if no developer or other plan comes to fruition, their thinking is that the writing is on the wall and they'll seek relocation. Hope not but this has gone on for far too long.

 

[VF21]

The problem is that even if a developer is found in the next couple months, the actual arena won't be ready to go until 2012 or 2013. They'll wait it out in that scenario but if no developer or other plan comes to fruition, their thinking is that the writing is on the wall and they'll seek relocation. Hope not but this has gone on for far too long.

That's a pretty optimistic timetable. I've heard - and read, I believe - that it would be FIVE years before a new arena could actually be constructed which would put it out to about 2014 or 2015 before it was ready for games, etc. Of course, right now the only date we really need to be concerned about - if this article (proviso because it's from the Bee) is factual - is March 2010.

I, too, would dearly love for this suspense to be over. It's gone on way too long. And I do not blame the Maloofs in any way. They've been more than patient, IMHO, in spite of the lunatic actions of Mayor Heather Fargo and her cronies.

 

[Trueblood]

That's a pretty optimistic timetable. I've heard - and read, I believe - that it would be FIVE years before a new arena could actually be constructed which would put it out to about 2014 or 2015 before it was ready for games, etc. Of course, right now the only date we really need to be concerned about - if this article (proviso because it's from the Bee) is factual - is March 2010.

I, too, would dearly love for this suspense to be over. It's gone on way too long. And I do not blame the Maloofs in any way. They've been more than patient, IMHO, in spite of the lunatic actions of Mayor Heather Fargo and her cronies.

Come to think of it, you're right. I think the absolute earliest they could break ground would be late 2011 meaning that it wouldn't be ready for games until 2013 but that's an absolute best case scenario of finding a developer right now and having no snags along the way. The environmental impact study alone takes a year and finding contractors is a hassle as well.

 

[kennadog]

I had already figured on the March 2010 deadline. If the Cal Expo deal is a go, I think they can wait for it's construction. But if March 2010 comes with no viable deal, I beleive the the Kings are gone and this coming season will be the last in Sacramento.

They can mention all the other possible sites, but they are all not likely for one reason...no city or county funding. I haven't heard the city or county say one word about being willing to help finance an arena anywhere else. If they are waiting to see how the Cal Expo deal goes, then it will be far to late to do anything.